WESTFIELD, Ind. — There was a collective pause as the Indianapolis Colts were going through Wednesday morning’s training camp work at Grand Park Sports Campus.
Josh Downs was down and in obvious pain.
The extent of the injury to the second-year slot receiver’s left ankle wasn’t immediately known. The team hopes it’s “only’’ an ankle sprain, according to a source, and medical exams will reveal that.
But losing Downs for any period of time would be a blow to the Anthony Richardson-led offense. He’s had arguably the best training camp of any player, rivaling rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu and strong safety Julian Blackmon.
“Josh is a helluva football player,’’ coach Shane Steichen said after practice.
Downs was injured during 7-on-7 work when he was tackled by safety Nick Cross near the sideline.
Downs had to be helped to his feet and was assisted from the sideline by a pair of medical personnel. He then was taken inside on a golf cart.
It was a play that clearly rankled Steichen. Generally, receivers and running backs are not taken to the ground during drills.
“We’ve gotta be smart,’’ he said. “We’re competing like crazy, but we’ve got to stay off the ground, and we can’t go down. That’s the bottom line.’’
Cross, who’s in a camp battle with Rodney Thomas II and Ronnie Harrison Jr. for the starting spot at free safety, defended his involvement with the play.
“I mean, we’re playing football and competing,’’ he said. “Josh is my guy. I love that boy to death.
“But we’re competing. It’s unfortunate.’’
Cross checked on Downs after practice.
After Downs went down, rookie Anthony Gould replaced him in the slot with the No. 1 offense. It was expected the fifth-round draft pick out of Oregon State initially might contribute as a kick returner.
“He’s got great speed, I’ll tell you that,’’ Steichen said. “We’ve hit him on some deep crosses in camp. He can really run.
“When we were going through the draft process, watching him, he can play a little bit of everything.’’
The Colts selected Downs in the third round of the 2023 draft, and he made an immediate impact. He set a franchise rookie record with 68 receptions, eclipsing Bill Brooks’ mark of 65 set in 1986, and finished with 771 yards and two touchdowns.
Downs appeared in all 17 games with nine starts, and had at least three receptions in 13 games. His best outing: 5 catches for 125 yards, including a 59-yard TD, against Cleveland in October.
Steichen said if the Colts have to replace Downs in the slot, it could involve several players.
“Those guys are interchangeable,’’ he said. “You can put Pitt (Michael Pittman Jr.) inside. It just depends on what route combination you’re doing.’’
The Colts have dealt with a variety of injuries during camp, but the only serious one to this point has been a torn Achilles tendon by veteran defensive end Samson Ebukam.
Preseason plan?
Steichen won’t announce how he plans on divvying up playing time in Sunday’s preseason opener against Denver until Friday.
“I have a good idea of what I’m going to do,’’ he said. “I just want to get with the staff tomorrow because I haven’t told the players yet.’’
He was asked if the starters might play at some level.
“Possibly, yes,’’ he said.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.